The court asked the civic body to either go for auction with the right to first refusal to the Tata company or have the court direct to settle the issue through negotiations.Samanwaya Rautray | ET Bureau | January 12, 2017, 14:28 IST

The court asked the civic body to either go for auction with the right to first refusal to the Tata company or have the court direct to settle the issue through negotiations.

A bench comprising Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and RF Nariman rapped the NDMC for playing mischief on the Tatas and not forwarding the legal opinions of the SG and the AG to the Ministry of Urban Development.

The opinions suggested that either the Tatas who had a 33-year lease have the right to first refusal with auction or arrive at a reasonable market price through negotiations.

"Something is very strange here," Nariman said. "It is not bona fide."